Touch pad, a stylus for use with the touch pad, and a method of operating the touch pad

ABSTRACT

A touch pad or touch screen having a light transmissive means having a surface receiving light, such as from a stylus or pen emitting light at a point thereof, transmitting the light along the surface and determining the position at the surface receiving the light. This touch pad may be made of a hard material. A flexible element is provided on top of the surface and light transmitted into the flexible element. Depression of the element directs light into the surface for detection. A keyboard may be positioned on the surface of flexible element. Lenses or mirrors may be provided for receiving light from outside the pad/screen for determining a position also outside the pad on a working surface, such as a white board, a desk, or a newspaper.

The present invention relates to an improved touch pad and in particularto a touch pad which receives the light within a light transmissivemeans and determines where the light entered the means. Touch screens ofthis type have the advantage that they may e.g. be made quite hard andmore resistant to excessive pressure. Also, a number of additionalfeatures, such as the addition of keyboards etc may be obtained.

Touch pads and other types of systems for entering information into acomputer may be seen from U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,763, JP-A-58010232,JP-A-59202533, JP-A-11232025, WO02/095668, WO02/077915, U.S. Pat. No.4,692,809, U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,981, U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,622, U.S. Pat.No. 5,166,668, and EP-A-1 209 554.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a touch pad having:

-   -   a light transmissive means having a first surface adapted to        receive light, the transmissive means being adapted to transmit        received light inside the light transmissive means along the        first surface,    -   a first and a second means adapted to receive light received by        the surface, transmitted along the first surface by the        transmissive means, and for outputting corresponding signals,        and    -   means for determining, on the basis of signals from the        receiving means, a position of the first surface having received        light.

Thus, instead of transmitting the light through the light transmissivemeans, the light is transmitted therein and to the light receivers.

In the present context, a means is light transmissive, when, at at leastone wavelength present in the light received, the absorption of thelight is sufficiently small to have at least part of the light reach thereceiving means. This or these wavelength(s) may be in the visiblespectrum, the infrared spectrum, and/or the ultraviolet spectrum.Preferably, the means is able to transmit at least 50% of most of thewavelengths in the visible spectrum over a distance from a majority ofpositions of the first surface and the receiving means.

Preferred materials for the light transmissive means may be glass,polycarbonate, transparent polyethylenes, PET, acrylate, ABS, nylon,styrene, or similar materials.

An interesting feature of the present invention is the fact that thelight received is transmitted inside the light transmissive means andalong the first surface. Thus, light received is now redirected and atleast partly guided by the means and not merely transmitted straightthrough as would be the case in e.g. a projection screen. Naturally, theamount of the light actually received and redirected by the lighttransmissive means will depend on the angle under which the light entersas well as the wavelength etc. Thus, in order to obtain a suitableangle, the light is preferably provided close to the first surface inthe form of a non-collimated beam.

In this context, other elements, such as the flexible element mentionedfurther below, may also take part in the guiding of the redirectedlight. The receiving means are thus positioned so as to receive lighttransmitted along the first surface. These means may be positioned in aplane of the light transmissive means or a plane parallel with a planeof the first surface.

The light received and guided inside the light transmissive means willpropagate in the means depending on the shape thereof, its surfaces(reflecting properties), its absorbance etc. Also, depending on theintensity distribution of the light, its direction of transmission maybe both in the direction of the first surface and a directionperpendicular to that. At least part of the received light will bereflected from a surface of the light transmissive means and thereby beguided toward the receiving means.

Preferably, the light transmissive means is at least substantially flat.In this manner, flat touch screens may be provided. Also, the lightguiding properties and the ability to actually receive the light isimproved in flat means.

For a number of reasons, the light transmissive means is preferablyplanar in that that shape is the easiest surface to follow when writingetc. However, any shape of the transmissive means may be used as long asit facilitates light guidance between the position of entry of the lightand the receiving means. In fact, bent touch pads may have advantages inthat one, e.g. a planar, area may be used for normal “writing” and otherareas, such as sides of the pad, may be used for buttons orpredetermined areas (see further below).

A number of interesting embodiments relate to what information isactually derived from the light received. Normally, the output of thereceiving means would be position information (such as an angle at whicha maximum of light intensity was received) or a voltage/current relatingto a light intensity received. Other information may relate to avariation in the light intensity (see further below) or to thewavelength or wavelength interval/mix of the light.

In one embodiment, the determining means may use standard triangulationin order to perform the determination of the position. Also, naturally,more than two receiving means may be used in order to e.g. increase aprecision in the determination of the position or to increase an areawithin which light or positions may be identified, received ordetermined.

In the present context, the position at which the light is received willnormally be a position at or on the first surface at which the lightactually enters the light transmissive means and starts propagatingwithin the light transmissive means. This position may be determined inany coordinate system and e.g. as an absolute or relative distance/anglefrom any other point or position of the touch pad.

A touch screen may be obtained when combining the above touch pad with adisplay or monitor, the monitor or display being positioned so as toprovide or display information provided or displayed thereby through thefirst surface of the light transmissive means.

In another embodiment, the light transmissive means comprises an atleast substantially flat light transmissive member having at a surfacethereof a light transmissive coating or layer, an upper surface of whichforms the first surface of the light transmissive means. This coating orlayer may be used for protecting the means from scratches or may providea mirroring or non-reflecting surface. A coating may be hard, such ashard silicone, or a hydrophilic surface.

An interesting type of member is one comprising a light transmissivedisplay or monitor, whereby the touch pad is, again, a touch screen, nowwith the “pad” positioned below the monitor/display.

In another embodiment, the touch pad further comprises a flexibleelement positioned at or on the first surface and a light emitteradapted to transmit light into the flexible element, the element beingadapted to have a part thereof depressed toward the first surface and todirect light from the flexible element into the member at the depressedpart. The depression of the part will narrow the light path at thatpoint. Also, the depressed surface part of the flexible element may forma convex surface acting as a mirror reflecting light from the flexibleelement toward and through the first surface. This flexible element maybe made of e.g. silicone, polyurethane, nylon, PVC, and/or transparentpolyethylenes, and may have a thickness of 0.01 mm-10 mm, such as 0.25mm-5 mm, preferably ½-1 mm.

In that embodiment, the flexible element may have a first sidecomprising a number of predetermined first areas adapted to be depressedtoward the first surface and a second side having, at areas opposite tothe predetermined first areas, second areas which, in a first,non-depressed position, have a distance to the first surface and, in asecond, depressed position, abut the first surface. This flexibleelement may be a keyboard, where the first areas define the keys.Preferably, each first area has a corresponding second area and viceversa. The difference in refractive index between the flexible elementand, on the one hand, air, (the distance between the flexible elementand the first surface) and, on the other hand, the first surface,ensures that (at least substantially) no light is transmitted to thefirst surface in the first position but is in the second position.

From the knowledge of the positions of the second areas, the touch padmay be able to determine which first area was depressed and therebywhich action to take.

It should be noted that the light having now passed the first surface,as described above, may be guided by the light transmissive means aswell as the flexible member, depending on the border between theseparts. If light may pass the border, light may travel into the flexiblemember and back into the light transmissive means. This has no impact onthe position of the receiving means or the operation of the pad.

The two positions of the second areas are an additional manner (otherthan merely e.g. an index difference between the flexible member and thelight transmissive means or the use of collimated light not impinging onthe interface) of preventing light from travelling from the flexibleelement to the first surface at non-intended positions. Preferably, theflexible element also has, between the second areas, means forpreventing unintended transmission of light from the flexible element tothe first surface.

A keyboard-like feature may also be provided when the touch padcomprises a depressing means having a first side comprising a number ofpredetermined first areas adapted to be depressed toward the firstsurface and a second side having, at areas opposite to the predeterminedfirst areas, depression elements which, in a first, non-depressedposition, do not to any substantial degree depress the flexible memberand, in a second, depressed position, depress the flexible member.Preferably, the depressing means is a flat means having a first, upperside and a second, lower side, and where the opposite positions arepositioned above and below each other.

Different depressing means may be provided, thus providing an easyreplacement of keyboards, the use of specialized keyboards (for gamesetc) and the use of the same basic module for pads for differentcountries.

Means may also be provided in order for the touch pad to know whichkeyboard is used and how to interpret light transmitted from a givenpoint at the first surface.

An interesting depressing means comprises an at least substantiallystiff member being rotatable in relation to a remaining part of thedepressing means, the stiff member having, at its first side, aplurality of the first areas and, at its second side, a plurality of thedepression elements.

This stiff member may be a depressible pad or area, which may berotatable in a plane at least substantially parallel to a plane of thefirst surface so as to provide a rotatable member (such as for scrollingin menus or controlling other means). In this manner, light-receivingportions may be obtained of the first surface, which portions moveduring rotation of the pad. Another manner is to have the member rotatearound an axis at least substantially parallel to a plane of the firstsurface, in which manner, only one or a number of the depressing meansat the second side thereof may engage the flexible member at the sametime. A combination of the two rotations may be selected.

A third manner of providing e.g. a keyboard is one comprising an elementhaving a first side having a number of first predetermined positions forengagement of a user and a second side having a number of secondpositions or areas corresponding to the first positions, the elementbeing adapted to, when a first position is engaged by the user, emitlight from the corresponding second position, the second side beingpositioned so that the light emitted may be received by the firstsurface.

In a preferred embodiment, the receiving means comprise means fordetecting light received at at least two different areas or points, thedetecting means being adapted to determine an angle of incidence ofdetected light at each area or point. In this manner, the position maybe determined by simple triangulation.

Preferably, the detecting means comprise at least one detector and, foreach area or point, a reflecting means or lens means for directing thelight received at the area or point on to the at least one detector.

In the preferred embodiment, the receiving means comprise means fordetecting light emitted at a predetermined point of the first surface intwo different directions and means for determining the position of thepredetermined point from the directions in which the light was detected.

Preferably, the detecting means comprise at least one detector andreflecting means or lens means for directing the light emitted in thetwo different directions on to the at least one detector.

The touch pad may comprise at least two detectors each being an at leastone-dimensional detector having a number of detecting points or areas,the detectors and reflecting/lens means being positioned so that lightfrom two different points on the first surface are detected at differentpoints/areas of at least one of the detectors. This facilitatesdetermination of the actual point of entry of the light.

Also, the pad may then further comprise a plurality of slots providedbetween the predetermined point at the first surface and theone-dimensional detectors, the detecting points/areas of theone-dimensional detectors being at least substantially equidistant.When, e.g. a distance between two adjacent slots being different from amultipla of a distance between two adjacent areas/points of a detector,these slots will be able to increase the resolution of theposition/angle determination.

Several one-dimensional detectors may be used for the same detection inorder to increase the resolution when either the slots/apertures areangled to a row and line direction of the detectors if their detectingpoints/areas are positioned in rows and lines. If the rows and lines areat straight angles to each other, slanted apertures may be used.Optionally, vertical apertures may be used when the lines and rows arenot at straight angles to each other.

Preferably, the at least one detector comprises a CCD detector, such asa CCD detector being a two-dimensional detector having a number of rowsof detecting points/areas, and wherein each detector comprises at leastone row of the CCD.

Then, the pad could further comprise means for directing light fromsurroundings of the touch pad to one or more other rows of the CCD. Thislight could be an image from the outside of the pad, which image is thendetected by the CCD.

Also, a filter means or the reflecting/lens means could be adapted totransmit at least substantially only light within a predeterminedwavelength interval. In this manner, noise from incident light, such assunlight may be reduced or avoided.

Preferably, the touch pad is used together with a stylus or pen adaptedto emit light from a point (that is, an end part) thereof, the stylus orpen being adapted to transmit light into the light transmissive meanswhen touching and/or being translated over the first surface.

An interesting embodiment further comprises means for receiving lightfrom outside the pad and in a plane at least substantially parallel tothe first surface and for transporting the light into the lighttransmissive means, the determining means being adapted to determine aposition outside the pad from which the light is emitted.

In that embodiment, the receiving means preferably comprise at least twolens means or mirror means positioned so as to direct light from theoutside of the pad (such as light from the sun or external lightemitters/lamps) along the plane into the light transmissive means. Thelens or mirror means preferably form part of the light transmissivemeans.

This pad preferably further comprises means for directing lighttransported into the light transmissive means by the transporting meansto the determining means.

This embodiment may then actually derive position information also fromthe outside of the touch pad. The pad may be positioned at a workingsurface and then derive information from drawings etc. made on thatworking surface.

In fact, 3D position information may be derived in that a lens/mirrormeans may be provided for also receiving light out of the plane. Thisreceived light is then also transported to the detector/receiving means.This additional information may be separated from the other informationby providing it with a particular wavelength (the use of e.g. filters ora specific light emitter used to emit the light) or the light may betransmitted to its own detector, such as a separate row of a CCD.

One particular use may be seen in relation to a particular stylus or penhaving:

-   -   a first light transmitting channel along a predetermined axis of        the stylus or pen,    -   means for providing light into and along the transmitting        channel,    -   means for outputting the light from the transmitting channel,    -   a receiving channel being adapted to receive light output from        the transmitting channel and having been reflected outside the        pen or stylus, and    -   means for directing light from the receiving channel toward the        receiving means of the pad.

This stylus/pen may be used for e.g. reading bar codes in that the barsmay have differing reflective properties, which will result in avariation of the amount of light reflected and thereby directed towardthe pad.

The external work area may also be used as e.g. a newspaper or brochure,which is identified by the user (such as by a bar code or otherinformation—such as the taking of a picture thereof). Subsequent toidentification, the user may, using a stylus or other light provider,demarcate or identify e.g. products, which the user wishes to purchaseor fill in forms etc. This information is then derived by the pad, whichmay transmit the information, such as by wireless Ethernet or a mobiletelephone (if the pad is not part of the mobile telephone as it is) toe.g. the provider of the products or the issuer of thebrochure/newspaper.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pen/stylus for use in theabove touch pad, the stylus having a light providing means and means foremitting light provided from a point of the stylus. The point of thestylus may be flexible. A flexible point may be made of e.g. silicone orpolyurethane. In addition, the point may be made hydrophilic in order toreduce friction or the risk of scratching. Also, the light providingmeans may be a light emitter. Additionally, the light providing meanscould comprise means for receiving light from one or more surroundinglight emitter(s), such as a solar cell or a lens—or a mirroring surfacepositioned at the point of the stylus. This mirroring surface mayreflect light provided by the pad itself—such as light transmitted closeto the first surface.

A stylus with a flexible point may be used for providing different e.g.line thicknesses when e.g. drawing and for providing informationrelating to a force exerted during the drawing/writing. This last aspectis particularly interesting in electronic signatures in that, now, notonly the positions (the signature itself as written) and the velocity atpredetermined points may be used for identifying the signor, but alsothe pressure exerted at predetermined points.

Furthermore, the pen/stylus could have means for varying an intensityand/or wavelength of the light emitted, the variation being controlledby a controlling means controllable by a user. In this manner, thestylus may be used as e.g. a computer mouse now also having one or morebuttons. Then, the controlling means preferably comprises an area of thestylus, the area being adapted to be exposed to pressure or depressionby the user, exposure to pressure or depression will make thecontrolling means vary the intensity and/or wavelength.

This variation may be used for a number of purposes: the pad may beadapted to only function with a given stylus or group of stylus, wherebythe pad will not react to light entered not having a predeterminedintensity variation/wavelength contents/polarisation. Also, differentstylus may be decided to provide different colours on a monitorillustrating what is drawn on the pad. Alternatively or additionally,the variation may be taken as e.g. a mouse click, and the pad mayrespond correspondingly as is seen in normal PC's.

The invention also relates to a stylus or pen having:

-   -   a first light transmitting channel along a predetermined axis of        the stylus or pen,    -   means for providing light into and along the transmitting        channel,    -   means for outputting the light from the transmitting channel,    -   a receiving channel being adapted to receive light output from        the transmitting channel and having been reflected outside the        pen or stylus, and    -   means for outputting the light from the receiving channel.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating atouch pad, the method comprising:

-   -   providing a light transmissive means having a first surface        adapted to receive light,    -   receiving light at the first surface,    -   transmitting the received light inside the light transmissive        means along the first surface,    -   receiving the transmitted light by a first and a second means,    -   outputting, from the first and second means, corresponding        signals, and    -   determining, on the basis of signals from the receiving means, a        position of the first surface having received light.

As indicated above, the method could comprise a display or monitor(making it a touch screen) providing or displaying information throughthe first surface of the light transmissive means.

Also, the providing step may comprise providing a light transmissivemeans comprising an at least substantially flat light transmissivemember having at a surface thereof a light transmissive coating orlayer, an upper surface of which forms the first surface of the lighttransmissive means. Then, the providing step could comprise providing amember comprising a light transmissive display or monitor—againproviding a touch screen.

In one embodiment, the touch pad further comprises a flexible elementpositioned at or on the first surface and a light emitter, the lightemitter transmitting (preferably collimated) light into the flexibleelement, the method comprising the step of depressing a part of theelement toward the first surface and directing light from the flexibleelement into the member at the depressed part.

This depression may provide an upper surface of the flexible elementreflecting the light through the first surface.

The flexible element may have a first side comprising a number ofpredetermined first areas adapted to be depressed toward the firstsurface and a second side having, at areas opposite to the predeterminedfirst areas, second areas, the method comprising depressing one or moreof the first areas and bringing the one or more corresponding secondareas from a first, non-depressed position in which the correspondingsecond area(s) have a distance to the first surface into a second,depressed position, where the corresponding second area(s) abut thefirst surface. Then, the method may further comprise the step ofpreventing transmission of light from the flexible element to the firstsurface between the second areas.

Alternatively or in addition, the touch pad could comprise a depressingmeans having a first side comprising a number of predetermined firstareas adapted to be depressed toward the first surface and a second sidehaving, at areas opposite to the predetermined first areas, depressionelements, the method comprising depressing one or more of the firstareas of the depressing means so as to bring one or more of thecorresponding depression elements from a first, non-depressed positionin which they do not to any substantial degree depress the flexiblemember, to a second, depressed position in which they depress theflexible member.

In this embodiment, the depressing means could comprise an at leastsubstantially stiff member having, at its first side, a plurality of thefirst areas and, at its second side, a plurality of the depressionelements, the method comprising rotating the stiff member in relation toa remaining part of the depressing means so as to bring one or moresecond areas from the first to the second positions. As indicated above,the axis of rotation may be in a plane of the first surface or at anangle thereto depending on the actual use of the stiff member.

In another embodiment, the touch pad further has an element having afirst side having a number of first predetermined positions forengagement of a user and a second side having a number of secondpositions or areas corresponding to the first positions, the methodcomprising the step of, when a first position is engaged by the user,emitting light from the corresponding second position and receiving theemitted light by the first surface.

In one embodiment, the receiving step comprises detecting light receivedat at least two different areas or points, the determining stepcomprising determining an angle of incidence of detected light at eacharea or point. Thus, triangulation may simply be used for thedetermination.

Then, the touch pad preferably comprises at least one detector, themethod comprising the step of directing, using a reflecting means orlens means, the light received at the area or point on to the at leastone detector.

Also, the detecting and determining steps could comprise detecting lightemitted at a predetermined point of the first surface in two differentdirections and determining the position of the predetermined point fromthe directions in which the light was detected. Then, preferably, thetouch pad comprises at least one detector, the method comprisingdirecting, using reflecting means or lens means, the light emitted inthe two different directions on to the at least one detector.

Preferably, the touch pad comprises at least two detectors, eachdetector being an at least one-dimensional detector having a number ofdetecting points or areas, the method comprising the step of detectinglight emitted from two different points on the first surface atdifferent points/areas of at least one of the detectors. Then, theresolution could be increased by e.g. the step of providing a pluralityof slots or apertures between the predetermined point at the firstsurface and the one-dimensional detectors, the detecting points/areas ofthe one-dimensional detectors being at least substantially equidistant,and a distance between two adjacent slots being different from amultipla of a distance between two adjacent areas/points of a detector.

In the preferred embodiment, the touch pad comprises a two-dimensionalCCD detector having a number of rows of detecting points/areas, whereinthe detecting step comprises detecting light transmitted by thetransmissive means by one or more of the rows of detectingpoints/elements. Then, the method could further comprise the step ofdirecting light from surroundings of the touch pad to one or more otherrows of the CCD. Also, the method could further comprise the step oftransmitting at least substantially only light within a predeterminedwavelength interval in order to e.g. reduce noise from incident light(sun light or the like).

As indicated above, the step of providing the light preferably comprisesproviding a stylus or pen emitting light from a point thereof andtransmits light into the light transmissive means when touching and/orbeing translated over the first surface.

An interesting embodiment is one, which further comprises the steps of:

-   -   receiving light from outside the pad and in a plane at least        substantially parallel to the first surface and    -   transporting the light into the light transmissive means,        the determining step comprising determining a position outside        the pad from which the light is emitted.

This embodiment may further comprise providing at least two lens meansor mirror means positioned so as to direct light from the outside of thepad along the plane into the light transmissive means. Also, the stepsof providing the light transmissive means and the lens or mirror meanscould comprise providing the light transmissive means and thelens/mirror means as a single/monolithic element. In addition, themethod could comprise the step of directing light transported into thelight transmissive means by the transporting means to the determiningmeans.

The method could also comprise the step of translating a stylus or penhaving:

-   -   a first light transmitting channel along a predetermined axis of        the stylus or pen,    -   means for providing light into and along the transmitting        channel,    -   means for outputting the light from the transmitting channel,    -   a receiving channel being adapted to receive light output from        the transmitting channel and having been reflected outside the        pen or stylus, and    -   means for directing light from the receiving channel toward the        receiving means of the pad        over a surface having areas of varying light reflection, the        light or stylus directing light of varying intensity toward the        touch pad,        wherein the determining step comprises determining information        from the variation in the light intensity.

Furthermore, the method could comprise providing light at the firstsurface using a stylus or pen, the method further comprising the step ofvarying an intensity and/or wavelength of the light emitted, thevariation being controlled by a controlling means controllable by auser, and wherein the determining step comprises detecting the variation(and perhaps acting accordingly). Then, the varying step preferablycomprises the user depressing an area of the stylus, the depressionfacilitating the variation of the intensity and/or wavelength.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention will bedescribed in relation to the drawing, wherein:

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate different selections of flexible stylus point andflexible layer,

FIG. 4 illustrates an overlay keyboard,

FIG. 5 illustrates a rotating disc or joystick for use with the keyboardof FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 illustrates a new type of icon and navigation in the system,

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate different types of overlay keyboards,

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of apertures/slots,

FIG. 10 illustrates the function of apertures/slots,

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a preferred set-up of the present invention,

FIG. 13 illustrates a particular type of useful CCD for use inaccordance with the invention,

FIG. 14 illustrates a preferred embodiment adapted for 3D positiondetermination external to the pad,

FIG. 15 illustrates a bar code reader for use external to the pad, and

FIG. 16 illustrates the use of the preferred invention for derivinginformation provided on a white board external to the pad.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF O-PEN TOUCH SCREEN

The preferred embodiment concerns a method to produce a passive and/oractive and/or responsive and/or internal and/or external optical touchscreen with a flip over Keyboard including joystick and scrollfunctionality by employing various means which can be “tailor made” orfound as integral parts of many electronic devices such as digital CCD,light source, software, ROM, processor, power supply, print, a screenand a transparent screen cover (25) including special layers and mirrorsand aperture and filters+various means for writing with a lighted or areflective pointed tool both possible to combine with ordinary writingtools and means for presenting reflections from barcodes.

All the below-described functionality is preferably controlled by asingle controller, 64, of the pad.

CCD for Digital Detection of Position

A CCD is used as light detector because it is cheap, energyeconomic+100% digital and thus possible to build into coming single chipmobile phones. The digital image sensor is expected to follow Moore'slaw and double performance concerning key parameters such as resolution,energy consumption, position update frequency sensitivity etc. every 18month. This means that competing touch screen technologies with analoguecomponents cannot keep pace with the quality development.

CCD Synchronising with Incoming Light Signal and Ambient Light

In order to pick up the strongest possible signal with the bestsignal/noise ratio the software tunes the CCD to the exact samefrequency as the signal emitting light source. Both the pen and the CCDtune in to the same frequency that is out of synchronicity with thelocal electric grid net.

CCD Matching Screen Luminance to Ambient Light

The CCD measures the ambient light and set the screen luminance to anadequate level. This feature saves energy by optimising the power forscreen luminance to a minimum.

Screen Cover (25) with Optics for Internal and External Touch Screen

O-pen technology is based on digital imaging of light that enters into atransparent layer above or under a screen. If the angles of light arebigger than the Brewster angle then most of the light will pass rightthrough and if the angles of light are smaller then most of the lightwill bounce right of the surface. Only close optical contact between thescreen cover (25)—see FIGS. 1-3—and a light emitting source such as apen point (1) enables light to pass into the screen cover (25) andbecause of the Brewster angle the light moves in straight lines insidethe screen cover (25) until it is absorbed. The touch screenfunctionality can be established anywhere beneath or above thetransparent screen cover (25), even 360 degrees around an irregularobject.

A display or monitor 65 is illustrated in FIG. 1, which makes the touchpad function also as a touch screen.

O-pen technology can be incorporated into for instance a mobile terminalwith slight alterations of the screen cover (25) and simplemodifications of software and/or the electronic components.

The screen cover (25) consists of a stiff transparent layer of forinstance PET and a soft, scratch resistive upper layer of for instancesilicone. Such a screen cover (25) has excellent transparency comparedwith screen cover (25)s with resistive touch screen functionality. Theinherit properties such as high brilliance, high luminance, good sidevisibility and low distortion leads to considerably lower powerconsumption, less battery capacity need and less voluminous designrequirements.

One primary concave mirror (10)—see FIG. 11—is placed in each side ofthe screen to project incoming light from a wide angle of the screen toa left and a right secondary concave mirror (13) that project the lightagainst desired areas of for instance a CCD. The primary concave mirrorsin each side are also concave mirrors in the vertical plane in order toreflect the incoming light towards the secondary concave mirrors (13) inminimized angles. The primary concave mirrors (10) focus the light andact as a light signal amplifier as well as 2D to a 1D reduction system,which only need a small elongated area out of for instance one CCD.

Mirrors are coated with a selectively IR mirroring layer and lenses (27,28, 29) to see out of the internal screen is coloured so only thedesired IR wavelengths pass through.

The screen cover (25) underside is coated with a selective IR mirroringlayer in order to avoid any undesired optical effects due to opticalcontact between screen cover (25) and screen.

Under the two secondary concave mirrors (13) that project the light tothe CCD the screen cover (25) is not coated with an IR mirroring layer.

The screen cover (25) can be produced in a single mould with a doublemoulding process where the first hard plastic with all the optics isproduced in the first process and the softer upper layer is produced inthe last process. The screen cover (25) edges have angles that let lightpass out and is coated with an absorbing layer except where there isplaced mirrors (30,31,32)—see FIG. 14—and lenses (27,28,29), whichtransmit light in the optic system.

Apertures for Triangulation and Aperture for Camera Functionality

A thin film (19)—see FIGS. 9-10—with at least one row of apertures in arecognizable “barcode” like pattern (20) for both left and right canaland one aperture for the camera functionality is placed beneath thesecondary concave mirrors. Each aperture creates a picture of the lightthat enters from the screen cover (25). Since we are looking at dots(23) there are no problems with multiple exposures and each aperture adda viewing angle and thus increase the achievable resolution.

The apertures are slightly tilted so the light passing through them willbe received by different rows of the CCD slightly dislocated. Thisdislocation creates a better signal for triangulation. Each row isanalysed separately because the pattern is slightly different from thepattern of the row beneath and the row above. During the analysis thesoftware will find the extension of the light intensity distribution onthe CCD by finding the first dark pixel on each side and also by findingthe pixel with peak intensity. Then the software will compare all therows to find the row with the highest peak intensity and to find theexact extension of the light intensity distribution by finding thedarkest pixels close to the light intensity distribution. This enablesthe software to create a precise image of the light intensitydistribution including peak and extension. This is done for every lightextension distribution behind every aperture in every row exposed toincoming light from the transmissive layer (25, 26). Alarge/medium/small extension of the light intensity distributioncorrespond to a large/medium/small contact area and or the indent madeby a stylus with an internal light emitter or a stylus with no internallight emitter depressing of the soft upper layer (26). A highest peakcorrespond to the centre of a contact area.

Under the thin film (19) with apertures three separate transparentspacing pieces (45,46,47) for right and left canal plus camera areplaced. The CCD is glued to the spacing pieces (45,46,47)—see FIG.11—with for instance silicone for optimum stability, vibrationprotection and optical contact with minimum light information losses.

A camera lens (22) in for instance silicone with an IR reflectivecoating underneath is glued on top of the screen cover (25) above thecamera aperture and the CCD (21) to allow the CCD to both detect lightfor a digital triangulation of position and to detect light to createdigital pictures.

Passive Internal Touch Screen

In the edge of the screen cover (25)—see FIGS. 1-3—opposite the CCD,light moving in near straight angle is send into the upper soft screencover (26) layer via a lens. A slight difference in the refractive indexcreates a small Brewster angle between the two layers. Any depression ofthe upper soft layer by any object such as a finger, a pen etc. willcreate an indent that mirror light beams down wards and all light beamsthat do not exceed the Brewster angle between the screen cover (25, 26)and air will stay trapped in the screen cover (25, 26) and thus betransmitted to the CCD enabling the software to do triangulation. Thelight has an alternative colour corresponding with selective filtersthat allow this colour exclusively to pass apertures for this particularfunction.

Passive External 2D Touch Screen

Two wide-angle lenses (27,28)—see FIG. 14—are placed in the edge of theinternal screen cover (25) and two concave mirrors (30,31) are placed inthe opposite side to project incoming light from the wide-angle lenses.The concave mirror (31) furthest from the CCD project the light from thefurthest lens (28) via a special primary concave mirror (60), below orabove the ordinary primary concave mirror (10) and then to the secondary(13) and through the thin film with aperture (19) to the CCD. Thespecial primary concave mirror (60) is coated to reflect only light inwavelengths coming from external signal providers and the rows of theCCD, which detect the light from external signal providers are havefilters, that only accept light with wavelength similar to the externalsignal providers. The concave mirror closest (30) to the CCD project thelight from the nearest wide-angle lens (27) directly to the closestsecondary concave mirror (10) and through the thin film with apertures(19) to the CCD. The optics for the canals is adjusted to cover adesired external angle of for instance 90 degrees establishing anexternal touch screen, that can be employed close range for hand writing(52) or at a white board size touch screen (51)—see FIG. 16.

Active External 2D Touch Screen

An external touch screen becomes active if an active screen is front orback projected to for instance a white board or a table—see FIG. 16. Inorder to use an active external 2D touch screen with accuracy acalibration procedure must be employed to establish the correct positionof the projected screen relative to the position of the device withbuilt in external touch screen facility. Letting the screen projectpoints and then have the user touch the points with an active pen (1)allows the software to triangulate the pen touching the points and tocalculate the relative position. Built in mobile telecommunication orclose range transmission technologies allow users to share images andinformation drawn and projected on active external 2D touch screen. Thesharing process can involve any wire less LAN technology such asBluetooth, IRDA, Intranet, Internet and so on.

External 3D Touch Screen

3D information can be added to the triangulation process by placing athird wide-angle lens at a place where the screen cover (25) is bending90 degrees—see FIG. 14. The incoming light from the 3D wide-angle lens(32) is transmitted to the CCD in the same way as the furthest 2Dwide-angle lens (31).

Custom Defined, Chosen or Designed Icons

For both passive and active external touch screens users can placeeither visible or invisible icons in positions that when touched cancommand the execution of desired functions just like a traditionaldigitiser or mouse. Fixed icons can be placed at a table to easecommands for a desktop or a lap top computer. Fixed icons could be forinstance a standard qwerty keyboard or any other preferred customisedkeyboard. Any digitiser icons can be printed and associated with theproper commands by establishing their position in relation to the devicewith an external touch screen.

An icon can for instance be a portrait that appears when a contact inthe phone book is high lighted. This “contact” icon (36)—see FIG. 6—is acircle where usual contact related information is placed clockwise andcommand likewise so a simple dot with the pen can call, SMS, MMS, mail,fax etc. a person. Icons can have outer rings with more commandstructures.

Keyboard, Scroll and Joystick

A Keyboard (35)—see FIGS. 4-8—can be moulded in a soft, tough,responsive and transparent material such as silicone or polyurethane.The Keyboard is mounted with suction pads upon the touch screen. IRlight is send into the keyboard directly through the screen cover (25)into one of the suction pads (43). The keyboard is moulded with lightdiffusing particles. A partial covering IR mirror layer (41) disconnectthe keyboard optically from the screen cover (25). Each button isslightly above the screen cover (25) and has a point (40) that can beconnected optically to the screen cover (25) by pressing it down. Theincoming light will be detected and triangulated. Placing contact points(40) around for instance a rounded shape makes joystick and scrollfunctions. When the user press or pull a contact point (40) comes intocontact and send a signal. The buttons optical contact point is made ina 3D design that ensures that increased pressure will enlarge thecontact area or shape it in a particular form. This is detected andanalysed as a responsive signal that can be associated with distinctivecommands depending of the shape. The design allows for customisation ofusers products by choosing flip over Keyboard and screen createdgraphics beneath the buttons as accessories. The Keyboard design allowsfor tactile features that can help persons with poor eyesight as well asanybody else to use their electronic products better. Icons according tothe producers or the individual user wishes can be mounted beneath theKeyboard in areas where there is no active screen beneath the touchscreen.

A touchy feely flip over Keyboard combined with software and audioand/or visual feed back can create an interface with a suitable dialogstructure for diverse machines and products where it is important not todepend on direct visual control. Such a touchy feely interface couldcontrol for instance peripheral functions in a car such as temperature,humidity, radio, cd or MP3-player, mirror positions, light etc.

Pen for Active Input to Internal Touch Screen

The pen (1) for active input to internal touch screen is made with aninternal light source and the pen point is chemically coated to bind onemolecule thick layer of water in order to increase the optical contactand to ensure pleasant super low friction use. The pen point iscompletely rounded to ensure the same contact area no matter which anglethe users choose to tilt his or hers pen. A pen touching the soft upperlayer (26) of the internal touch screen will create a small indent (15)that acts like a wide-angle lens and increase the entrapment of incominglight in the screen cover (25, 26).

This pen has a light emitter 63, the wavelength and/or intensity ofwhich is controlled by a controller 61 activated by a button 62.

Pen for Input to external Touch Screens

An ordinary pen or a white board marker has a built in pressuresensitive contact that activates a built in IR light source when the penor marker is pressed against a writing surface so light is emitted to bedetected by the wide-angle lenses (27,28) and triangulated by thesoftware.

Naturally, this pen may also have the ability to vary itsintensity/wavelength as is described above.

Pen for Barcode Reading

A pen point to scan barcodes (5)—see FIG. 15—consist of a co-axial pipedivided in a central light emitting pipe (8), that via a lightconduction is connected to an IR light source, a light shielding pipe(7), a light conducting pipe with light diffusing properties (9) and alight shielding pipe (7) with a stripped light ring (18) that permit thelight diffusing pipe to be seen by the wide-angle lenses (27,28). Thebarcode reader rest on its outer pipe while the user scans the penupright over a barcode. The light coloured intersections of the barcodereflect light beams into the diffusing pipe and the ring of light isdetected via the wide-angle lenses. The shadow/light signal iscorrelated with the triangulated position enabling the software to readthe barcode properly because both speed and dark light reflections canbe analysed. The user points out the corners of the barcode beforescanning them in order to enhance the bar code reading accuracy. Thisenables the software to determine the direction and speed of the barcode reader pen relative to the barcode.

Ordering Goods and Information with O-pen Technology

Each spot of an object with unique bar code identification is assignedto contain information. Upon reading a unique bar code identificationwithin an external touch screen the user will be prompted to answerwhether or not to access a homepage corresponding to the bar code. Uponuser acceptance to access the homepage the bar code assigned informationis retrieved to the device and the following procedures are carried out.(can be done online as well.) The user marks the corners of the objectwith unique bar code identification by pointing a pen within an externaltouch screen. Now the device contains information assigned to anyparticular position and the relative position of any particularposition. The user can now point out any position to access informationor commands assigned to this particular position. As an example, apicture of a woman in a car driving past a hotel can contain informationabout the car, the woman dress, the hotel and how to purchase either ofthem. Any object such as goods, papers and magazines etc. can containunlimited information that can be retrieved from the Internet in thisway. User manuals, origins, advanced details concerning logistics,cooling chain information, health warnings, legal notice, test schemes,list of content, price, warranty etc. can be part of the information.The user can beforehand access their own personal homepage and enter anysettings they want retrieved information to be matched to. The settingscould for instance involve personal preferences of purchase includingfor instance body measurements, allergic risk assessment, diets,financial status, shopping lists, gift list, information needs inrespect to different interest and so on. All information on goods andinformation of choice can be stored in a virtual shopping cart andretrieved when it is convenient for the user to make decisions ofpurchase. A part of the personal settings can involve software agentthat automatically search the Internet for cheaper similar productoffers. The user can in this way systemise purchase and informationgathering in order to gain savings and increased quality.

Unique Identification of Active Signal Providers

All active signal providers have unique identification in the form of arepeated particular amplitude pattern (37), which can be recognised bythe software. This can be useful when a number of people are workingtogether on the same screen or there is a need for differentiatingbetween colours or other signal provider specific elements. A deviceonly grants access to users according to the principal user's settingsof user access depending on specific active signal providers with uniqueidentification.

Calibration of Active Signal Providers

A factory calibration is done once and for all by applying graduallyharder pressure to a point in contact with all points of an O-pen touchscreen. The pressure will increase the size of the area in opticalcontact with the touch screen and/or alter the contact areas shape. Thesoftware will then store information about the shape depending onapplied pressure and become able to identify the pressure. This enablesthe software to represent all active signal providers in a responsivemanner. The software can furthermore have built in simulations ofparticular writing tools such as various brushes pens etc.

Responsive Accuracy can Ensure Higher Quality Digital Signature

High quality measurement of handwriting including the particular penpoint speed variations and the pressure variations plus the uniqueamplitude pattern (37) identification of signal providers enhance thecredibility of a digital signature performed by the user every time anaction needs a signed confirmation. The digital signature security isgreatly increased because the device with O-pen touch screen, the signalprovider, the address, the person and the signature plus possible apicture taken by the built in camera all can be confirmed. Devices withO-pen technology will be able to function as extra secure credit cardsboth in normal purchase situations and when the user purchase goods andinformation over the net.

The overall operation of this feature is a combination of theabove-mentioned broadening of the stylus tip with increased pressurethereon while signing. Thus, a correlation of not only the positions(the actual signature) but also the velocity at given positions and thepressure exerted at positions may be used for further ensuring theidentity of the signor.

Calibration of Touch Screens

A simple figure with a well-known form is placed on the touch screen andthe adequate pen is used to outline the figure. If the softwaretriangulates an outline image, which correlate with the figure then thetouch screen is accurate. If not then the software can reset the anglesand in this way compensate for in precise optics. Given that theproduction accuracy is high enough the calibration can be done once andfor all in the production process.

Alternative to Soft Keyboard, Scroll and Joystick

Instead of a soft all in one piece keyboard a keyboard can be moulded ofhard plastic parts with small contact areas suited to create smallindents in an upper soft layer (26) that will cause light beams to bereflected up and down to the CCD through the lower hard part and theupper soft part of a transmissive layer (25, 26). The keyboard has arigid supportive structure that spreads out pressure over a larger areaof the upper part of the transmissive layer (26) in order to preventincidental indents and consequently noise creation in the form of up anddown reflecting light beams to occur. The individual keys are supportedby the supportive structure and only the individual keys contact areacan be pressed through holes in the supportive structure into the uppersoft layer (26) of the transmissive layer. Scroll and joystick keys arefitted to the supportive structure with elastic glue such as silicone.When the user press the outer perimeter of a scroll button one or morecontact areas create detectable indents in the upper soft part (26) ofthe transmissive layer. The contact areas can be formed so an increasedpressure will enlarge the indent enabling the touch pad and software todetect a responsive signal. Adding a central stick to a scroll buttonthat can be pulled instead of pressed makes a joystick.

Alternative Identification of Active Signal Providers

A number of different pens can be employed simultaneous if a colour CCDis used or if the optical system separate colours with colour mirrors orfilters. The emitted light from each pen will then have a unique colourthat can be separated form the others by the software.

Alternative Holographic Optics

The entire optic system can be produced in a holographic productionprocess. This will decrease production variations and thus increaseaccuracy. In very complex variations it will also become an economicadvantage.

Alternative Pen Point Design

Alternative to a hard pen with a rounded point a soft pen point can beemployed to increase the contact area. This is beneficial especially inconnection with hard surfaces. A pen with a feather load relief ofexcessive pressure can reduce stress on the surface and pen point.

Alternative to Active Signal Providers

Internal light emitters can be fitted in the device instead of in theactive signal providers. Combined with pens that are coated with areflective layer, this will enable use of inactive pens with no internallight emitter. The emitted light is preferably concentrated close to thesurface and the pens are only reflective in an area at or very close tothe pen point. The reflective pens (3) can be produced at virtually nocost at all or even be just a pen point cover. Alternatively an ambientcollecting pen (4) made of a transparent material can collect light andsend it into the screen cover (25).

Alternatively the pen can emit light in the form of heat that is chargedto the pen through for instance microwave or friction or induction or abuilt in radioactive heating.

Alternative Mounts of Keyboard

The Flip over Keyboard (35) can be mounted by push buttons or slide intoholders or be produced as a strap on solution or glued on or welded onor screwed on.

Alternative to Concave Primary Mirrors

Convex primary mirrors (11) can reflect light but not withamplification.

The aperture or the apertures (19) can be placed in front of a primarymirror (10).

The aperture or the apertures (19) and mirrors (10,13) can be combinedwith lenses.

One wide-angle lens can be placed in front of one or more apertures.Through this lens light directly from the pen point and light reflectedfrom internal screen edges with colour selective mirrors that divide thelight from the pen into two separate colours is projected to the imagesensor. This will project at least three clearly defined dots on theimage sensor enabling the software to do an accurate triangulation.

Employment of more lenses on top of each other with a slight dispositioncan enhance the resolution. So can employment of more lenses with one ormore aperture that only covers a smaller angle of the entire screen.

Alternative to Concave Secondary Mirrors

Instead of secondary mirrors an optical taper (57) placed after theapertures (19) can concentrate the light on a small part of the imagesensor.

Partial Amplification of Touch Screen Resolution

A primary concave mirror (10) with a flatter or more curved form inparticular parts can create an angle-differentiated resolution that cancompensate for lowered resolution in for instance distant corners etc.

Alternative to Multiple Apertures

Partial monochrome image sensor can enhance the resolution because thereare four times as many pixels as compared with colour image sensors.

Instead of multiple apertures or in combination with multiple aperturesthe image sensor can have rows of pixels that are slightly dislocated(39). The dislocation could be for instance {fraction (1/10)} of a pixelwidth. This will create a slight differentiation between each row andthus increase resolution.

Multiple apertures can be colour separated and match a particular colourfilter in front of a row of the image sensor. This can be combined withcolour selective reflective sides of an internal touch screen produce anincreased resolution.

Alternative to Bar Code Reader

The built in camera or a connected camera or a wireless camera can beused photograph an unique code consisting of a micro pattern, which canbe invisible to the human eye. The invisibility can be achieved byprinting the pattern with ink that is only visible outside the visiblelight wavelength spectre for humans or by incorporating the pattern intoraster. Invisibility enhance the visual design opportunities and thecode can still be detectable either by scanning for it with the cameraor by establishing a standard right upper corner position for instance.

Image Sensor with no 2D to 1D Reduction

A lens cap can ensure that the image sensor only receive light inputfrom the pen point. An IR light filter ensures that light from the touchscreen won't interfere with the camera image when the touch screen isnot used. A more advanced lens cap can be made by involving a camerashutter that can close the light from the photographic lens allowing theimage sensor to take pictures alternatively in between updatingposition.

1-60. (canceled)
 61. A touch pad having: a light transmissive meanshaving a first surface adapted to receive light, the transmissive meansbeing adapted to transmit received light inside the light transmissivemeans along the first surface, a first and a second means adapted toreceive light received by the surface, transmitted along the firstsurface by the transmissive means, and for outputting correspondingsignals, and means for determining, on the basis of signals from thereceiving means, a position of the first surface having received light.62. A touch pad according to claim 61, further comprising a display ormonitor, the monitor or display being positioned so as to provide ordisplay information provided or displayed thereby through the firstsurface of the light transmissive means.
 63. A touch pad according toclaim 61, wherein the light transmissive means comprises an at leastsubstantially flat light transmissive member having at a surface thereofa light transmissive coating or layer, an upper surface of which formsthe first surface of the light transmissive means.
 64. A touch padaccording to claim 63, wherein the member comprises a light transmissivedisplay or monitor
 65. A touch pad according to claim 61, furthercomprising a flexible element positioned at or on the first surface anda light emitter adapted to transmit light into the flexible element, theelement being adapted to have a part thereof depressed toward the firstsurface and to direct light from the flexible element into the member atthe
 66. A touch pad according to claim 65, wherein the flexible elementhas a first side comprising a number of predetermined first areasadapted to be depressed toward the first surface and a second sidehaving, at areas opposite to the predetermined first areas, second areaswhich, in a first, non-depressed position, have a distance to the firstsurface and, in a second, depressed position, abut the first surface.67. A touch pad according to claim 66, wherein the flexible element has,between the second areas, means for preventing transmission of lightfrom the flexible element to the first surface.
 68. A touch padaccording to claim 65, further comprising a depressing means having afirst side comprising a number of predetermined first areas adapted tobe depressed toward the first surface and a second side having, at areasopposite to the predetermined first areas, depression elements which, ina first, non-depressed position, do not to any substantial degreedepress the flexible member and, in a second, depressed position,depress the flexible member.
 69. A touch pad according to claim 68,wherein the depressing means comprises an at least substantially stiffmember being rotatable in relation to a remaining part of the depressingmeans, the stiff member having, at its first side, a plurality of thefirst areas and, at its second side, a plurality of the depressionelements.
 70. A touch pad according claim 61, further comprising anelement having a first side having a number of first predeterminedpositions for engagement of a user and a second side having a number ofsecond positions or areas corresponding to the first positions, theelement being adapted to, when a first position is engaged by the user,emit light from the corresponding second position, the second side beingpositioned so that the light emitted may be received by the firstsurface.
 71. A touch pad according to claim 61, wherein the receivingmeans comprise means for detecting light received at least two differentareas or points, the detecting means being adapted to determine an angleof incidence of detected light at each area or point.
 72. A touch padaccording to claim 71, wherein the detecting means comprise at least onedetector and, for each area or point, a reflecting means or lens meansfor directing the light received at the area or point on to the at leastone detector.
 73. A touch pad according to claim 61, wherein thereceiving means comprise means for detecting light emitted at apredetermined point of the first surface in two different directions andmeans for determining the position of the predetermined point from thedirections in which the light was detected.
 74. A touch pad according toclaim 63, wherein the detecting means comprise at least one detector andreflecting means or lens means for directing the light emitted in thetwo different directions on to the at least one detector.
 75. A touchpad according to claim 61, comprising at least two detectors each beingat least one-dimensional detectors having a number of detecting pointsor areas, the detectors and reflecting/lens means being positioned sothat light from two different points on the first surface are detectedat different points/areas of at least one of the detectors.
 76. A touchpad according to claim 65, further comprising a plurality of slots orapertures provided between the predetermined point at the first surfaceand the one-dimensional detectors, the detecting points/areas of theone-dimensional detectors being at least substantially equidistant, anda distance between two adjacent slots being different from a multipla ofa distance between two adjacent areas/points of a detector.
 77. A touchpad according to claim 61, wherein the at least one detector comprises aCCD detector.
 78. A touch pad according to claim 77, wherein the CCDdetector is a two-dimensional detector having a number of rows ofdetecting points/areas, and wherein each detector comprises at least onerow of the COD.
 79. A touch pad according to claim 78, furthercomprising means for directing light from surroundings of the touch padto one or more other rows of the COD.
 80. A touch pad according to claim71, wherein a filter means or the reflecting/lens means is adapted totransmit at least substantially only light within a predeterminedwavelength interval.
 81. A touch pad according to claim 61, the padfurther comprising a stylus or pen adapted to emit light from a pointthereof, the stylus or pen being adapted to transmit light into thelight transmissive means when touching and/or being translated over thefirst surface.
 82. A touch pad according to claim 61, further comprisingmeans for receiving light from outside the pad and in a plane at leastsubstantially parallel to the first surface and for transporting thelight into the light transmissive means, the determining means beingadapted to determine a position outside the pad from which the light isemitted.
 83. A touch pad according to claim 82, wherein the receivingmeans comprise at least two lens means or mirror means positioned so asto direct light from the outside of the pad along the plane into thelight transmissive means.
 84. A touch pad according to claim 83, whereinthe lens or mirror means form part of the light transmissive means. 85.A touch pad according to claim 83, further comprising means fordirecting light transported into the light transmissive means by thetransporting means to the determining means.
 86. A touch pad accordingto claim 61, further comprising a stylus or pen having: a first lighttransmitting channel along a predetermined axis of the stylus or pen,means for providing light into and along the transmitting channel, meansfor outputting the light from the transmitting channel, a receivingchannel being adapted to receive light output from the transmittingchannel and having been reflected outside the pen or stylus, and meansfor directing light from the receiving channel toward the receivingmeans of the pad.
 87. A stylus for use in the touch pad according toclaim 61, the stylus having a light providing means and means foremitting light provided from a point of the stylus.
 88. A stylusaccording to claim 87, wherein the point of the stylus is flexible. 89.A stylus according to claim 87, wherein the light providing means is alight emitter.
 90. A stylus according to claim 87, wherein the lightproviding means comprises means for receiving light from one or moresurrounding light emitter(s).
 91. A stylus according to claim 87,further having means for varying an intensity and/or wavelength of thelight emitted, the variation being controlled by a controlling meanscontrollable by a user.
 92. A stylus according to claim 91, wherein thecontrolling means comprises an area of the stylus, the area beingadapted to be exposed to pressure or depression by the user, exposure topressure or depression will make the controlling means vary theintensity and/or wavelength.
 93. A stylus or pen having: a first lighttransmitting channel along a predetermined axis of the stylus or pen,means for providing light into and along the transmitting channel, meansfor outputting the light from the transmitting channel, a receivingchannel being adapted to receive light output from the transmittingchannel and having been reflected outside the pen or stylus, and meansfor outputting the light from the receiving channel.
 94. A method ofoperating a touch pad, the method comprising: providing a lighttransmissive means having a first surface adapted to receive light,receiving light at the first surface, transmitting the received lightinside the light transmissive means along the first surface, receivingthe transmitted light by a first and a second means, outputting, fromthe first and second means, corresponding signals, and determining, onthe basis of signals from the receiving means, a position of the firstsurface having received light.
 95. A method according to claim 94,further comprising a display or monitor providing or displayinginformation through the first surface of the light transmissive means.96. A method according to claim 94, wherein the comprising stepcomprises providing a light transmissive means comprising an at leastsubstantially flat light transmissive member having at a surface thereofa light transmissive coating or layer, an upper surface of which formsthe first surface of the light transmissive means.
 97. A methodaccording to claim 96, wherein the providing step comprises providing amember comprising a light transmissive display or monitor
 98. A methodaccording to claim 94, the touch pad further comprising a flexibleelement positioned at or on the first surface and a light emitter, thelight emitter transmitting light into the flexible element, the methodcomprising the step of depressing a part of the element toward the firstsurface and directing light from the flexible element into the member atthe depressed part.
 99. A method according to claim 98, wherein theflexible element has a first side comprising a number of predeterminedfirst areas adapted to be depressed toward the first surface and asecond side having, at areas opposite to the predetermined first areas,second areas, the method comprising depressing one or more of the firstareas and bringing the one or more corresponding second areas from afirst, non-depressed position in which the corresponding second area(s)have a distance to the first surface into a second, depressed position,where the corresponding second area(s) abut the first surface.
 100. Amethod according to claim 99, further comprising the step of preventingtransmission of light from the flexible element to the first surfacebetween the second areas.
 101. A method according to claim 98, whereinthe touch pad comprises a depressing means having a first sidecomprising a number of predetermined first areas adapted to be depressedtoward the first surface and a second side having, at areas opposite tothe predetermined first areas, depression elements, the methodcomprising depressing one or more of the first areas of the depressingmeans so as to bring one or more of the corresponding depressionelements from a first, non-depressed position in which they do not toany substantial degree depress the flexible member to a second,depressed position in which they depress the flexible member.
 102. Amethod according to claim 101, wherein the depressing means comprises anat least substantially stiff member having, at its first side, aplurality of the first areas and, at its second side, a plurality of thedepression elements, the method comprising rotating the stiff member inrelation to a remaining part of the depressing means so as to bring oneor more second areas from the first to the second positions.
 103. Amethod according to claim 94, the touch pad further comprising anelement having a first side having a number of first predeterminedpositions for engagement of a user and a second side having a number ofsecond positions or areas corresponding to the first positions, themethod comprising the step of, when a first position is engaged by theuser, emitting light from the corresponding second position andreceiving the emitted light by the first surface.
 104. A methodaccording to claim 94, wherein the detecting step comprises detectinglight received at least two different areas or points, the determiningstep comprising determining an angle of incidence of detected light ateach area or point.
 105. A method according to claim 104, wherein thetouch pad comprises at least one detector, the method comprising thestep of directing, using a reflecting means or lens means, the lightreceived at the area or point on to the at least one detector.
 106. Amethod according to claim 94, wherein the detecting and determiningsteps comprise detecting light emitted at a predetermined point of thefirst surface in two different directions and determining the positionof the predetermined point from the directions in which the light wasdetected.
 107. A method according to claim 106, wherein the touch padcomprises at least one detector, the method comprising directing, usingreflecting means or lens means, the light emitted in the two differentdirections on to the at least one detector.
 108. A method according toclaim 104, wherein the touch pad comprises at least two detectors, eachdetector being at an least one-dimensional detector having a number ofdetecting points or areas, the method comprising the step of detectinglight emitted from two different points on the first surface atdifferent points/areas of at least one of the detectors.
 109. A methodaccording to claim 108, further comprising the step of providing aplurality of slots between the predetermined point at the first surfaceand the one-dimensional detectors, the detecting points/areas of theone-dimensional detectors being at least substantially equidistant, anda distance between two adjacent slots being different from a multipla ofa distance between two adjacent areas/points of a detector.
 110. Amethod according to claim 104, the touch pad comprising atwo-dimensional COD detector having a number of rows of detectingpoints/areas, wherein the detecting step comprises detecting lighttransmitted by the transmissive means by one or more of the rows ofdetecting points/elements.
 111. A method according to claim 110, themethod further comprising the step of directing light from surroundingsof the touch pad to one or more other rows of the COD.
 112. A methodaccording to claim 110, further comprising the step of transmitting atleast substantially only light within a predetermined wavelengthinterval.
 113. A method according to claim 94, wherein the step ofproviding the light comprises providing a stylus or pen emitting lightfrom a point thereof and transmits light into the light transmissivemeans when touching and/or being translated over the first surface. 114.A method according to claim 94, further comprising the steps of:receiving light from outside the pad and in a plane at leastsubstantially parallel to the first surface and transporting the lightinto the light transmissive means, the determining step comprisingdetermining a position outside the pad from which the light is emitted.115. A method according to claim 114, further comprising providing atleast two lens means or mirror means positioned so as to direct lightfrom the outside of the pad along the plane into the light transmissivemeans.
 116. A method according to claim 115, wherein the steps ofproviding the light transmissive mans and the lens or mirror meanscomprises providing the light transmissive means and the lens/mirrormeans as a single element.
 117. A method according to claim 115, furthercomprising the step of directing light transported into the lighttransmissive means by the transporting means to the determining means.118. A method according to claim 114, the method comprising translatinga stylus or pen having: a first light transmitting channel along apredetermined axis of the stylus or pen, means for providing light intoand along the transmitting channel, means for outputting the light fromthe transmitting channel, a receiving channel being adapted to receivelight output from the transmitting channel and having been reflectedoutside the pen or stylus, means for directing light from the receivingchannel toward the receiving means of the pad over a surface havingareas of varying light reflection, the light or stylus directing lightof varying intensity toward the touch pad, wherein the determining stepcomprises determining information from the variation in the lightintensity.
 119. A method according to claim 94, the method comprisingproviding light at the first surface using a stylus or pen, the methodfurther comprising the step of varying an intensity and/or wavelength ofthe light emitted, the variation being controlled by a controlling meanscontrollable by a user, and wherein the determining step comprisesdetecting the variation.
 120. A method according to claim 119, whereinthe varying step comprises the user depressing an area of the stylus,the depression facilitating the variation of the intensity and/orwavelength.